Amidst public outcry Ottawa’s newest basketball team to change name from Tomahawks

How does this happen, was this a publicity stunt? regardless of the storyline the latest entry into Canada’s only professional basketball league – NBL Canada will be changed.

Less than 24 hours after unveiling the name and logo for the Ottawa Tomahawks the ownership group is being forced to revise their strategy after Ottawa’s community poured their comments and voiced their opinion on BasketballBuzz and social media.

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Much of the outcry has come from Canada’s native community as the term “Tomahawk” has deep roots in Canadian native indian culture and based on the recent developments of the “Idle No More” movement one has to wonder why the latest NBL Canada franchise decided to even go there.

According to owner Gus Takkale the team consulted the first nation community prior to making their decision.

Local First Nations DJ Ian Campeau tweeted at the team “You’re setting Ottawa back 30 years with naming your team ‘Tomahawks.’ It’s ridiculous and cultural appropriation.”

Last summer, Campeau had also launched a campaign over social media that took issue with the name of the Nepean Redskins football team.

But the basketball team’s owner, Gus Takkale said the Tomahawk name, which was selected after a public team-naming competition, is referencing a type of slam dunk rather than First Nations culture.

With all this happening we must take note, that the ownership was quick to respond to it’s community and willing to make changes to better name their franchise.

While this may be a situation that many would run from, the management team inside the Ottawa Franchise has stayed firm in answering and communicating.

Carl English amazing 58-point effort sets NBL Canada scoring record

The return of long time fan favorite Carl English to Canada was definitely a moment not to be slept on.

English whose story is well chronicled has had an outstanding 15-year professional career across the top international leagues. A veteran member of Canada Senior Men’s National Team he decided to bring it full circle and concluded his storied career in his hometown province of St. Johns, Newfoundland.

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When news broke that he was returning home it also meant that those same East Coast supporters who grew-up watching a young skinny grade ten kid would also get another opportunity to watch him once again showcase his game. English went from dropping 50-point games in high school to becoming only the third player from Newfoundland to play division one NCAA basketball.

On Saturday night, against the visiting Kitchen Waterloo Titans and with March Madness in full swing, the now 37 year-old English, delighted the fans once more with an incredible 58-point career-high performance to set the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) scoring record. English connected on 17-of-33 shots, 13/14 free-throws and nailed an incredible 11-of-20 three-point attempts in 127-117 win at Mile One Centre.

The previous record was held by Moncton’s Devin Sweetney in 2013 against the defunct Montreal Jazz.

English currently leads the NBLC in scoring in scoring at 25 points per game, shooting 44% from the floor and 38.5 from the outside, he also averages 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and has the St. John Edge eyeing a deep playoff run and potential championship.

River Lions Springer-Williams Jr. buries 10-of-12 triples, one shy of NBL Canada record

Niagara River Lions guard Clinton Springer-Williams Jr. buried a career-best 10-of 12 triples on his way to a 38-point night in a 108-93 win over the Windsor Express. Springer-Williams Jr. impressive performance came-up just short of Omar’ Strong’s NBL Canada record eleven three-pointers.

Springer-Williams Jr. shot 10-of-15 from the field, including for 4-of-5 from the charity stripe, he’s averaging 10.7 points per game and a scorching hot 46% from downtown for the up-start River Lions.